University of Southern Maine University of Southern Maine

USM Digital Commons USM Digital Commons

FAN: Family Affairs Newsletter Newspapers

4-15-2005

Family Affairs Newsletter 2005-04-15 Family Affairs Newsletter 2005-04-15

Jean Vermette

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fan

Part of the American Studies Commons, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Commons

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Newspapers at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FAN: Family Affairs Newsletter by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact jessica.c.hovey@maine.edu.

Page I of5

• • Hr:...... � • �··& �---... ·· �w-:·..-THE

(F)AMJLY (A)FFAIRS (N)EWSLETTER

FORWARD THIS OR PASS IT AROUND

TO AS MANY GLBTI-FAMIL Y MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE.

THE MORE FOLKS WHO TAKE PART, THE BETTER.

15 APRIL 2005

NEWSLETTER NEWS. NOTES & REMINDERS:

(NEWS #1 :) Postcards from Buster Episode to Air on MPBN. The Maine Public Broadcasting Network will air the "Sugartime" episode of the children's program Postcards from Buster on Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. The program generally airs on weekdays at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays at 8 a.m. Postcards from Buster is a series about a cartoon rabbit lhat travels a cross America and visits wilh children from different communities and cultures. The "Sugartlme" episode was criticized by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings for depicting two Vermont families headed by lesbian couples. "lt is our belief that despite objections to the episode on national levels, 'Sugartime' should air in Maine," said Deborah Johnson, MPBN's Director for Marketing & Communications. "The overwhelming majority of the public who expressed opinions supported the broadcast of "Sugartime."

(NEWS #2:) EQUALITY MAINE writes: Together we made a difference in passing non-discrimination legislation for LGBT people in Maine. (ed. note: LD 1196). And together again, we can make a difference in upholding the non-discrimination law and in defeating a constitutional amendment on marriage.

The constitutional amendment on marriage (LO 1294) not only defines marriage as a man and a woman, but could nullify ail domestic partnership benefits includlng health insurance, co-guardianships, inheritance, and disposition of remains. The amendment forbids any branch of govemment, state or local, from recognizing for purposes of benefits any relationship other than a married heterosexual couple. The public hearing for LD 129-4 is scheduled for mid- to late-May and we need your testimony nowl We are especially seeking testlmony from couples who have experienced problems in areas such as those above, by being denied the right to many. For complete details on testimony, go to: http://tinyurl.com/6vjuy.

The statewide campaign to defeat.. the Christian Civic League-led People's Veto ... of LD 1196 is under way! There wm be hundreds of volunteer opportunlties throughout the campaign, beginning this weekend. If you are ready to get involved now, please come to EqualityMaine's spring voter ID kick-off canvass this Saturday, April 16, 9:30am in Portland. Just remember, every new voter who pledges to vote against the People's Veto cancels out a vote of a person who signs the Christian Civic League's petition. For complete details: http://tinwrl.com/6vluv

Upcoming EqualityMaine Event LGBT Exposition at the State House. Wednesday, May 18, 9:00am-1 :OOpm. Ali LGBT organizations invited! Free of charge, lunch provided. For more info: http://tinyurl.com/54fzl (NEWS #3:) There is a new guys group (for gay, bi, questionlng men and MSM) starting up in the Waterville area. See the listing below for MAY 9.

(NOTES #1:) The monthly lesbian brunch, previously scheduled for SUndays in Belfast, has changed its dates and times. To accomodate summer sunshine and everyone's need/desire to be outside, it has become the Second Saturday Supper Gathering, a potluck dinner for lesblans, and will be held on (you guessed it) the evening of the second Saturday of each month. Check out the revised listing below on MAY 14.

(NOTES #2:) Wrth this issue of The FAN, our subscriber list is now over 300 strong! And with a number of copies belng sent to agencies and organizations (which post them for others to see as well), 1 would estimate that the actual readership ls more like 400! Keep getting the word out folks!

{REMINDERS #1 :) You can help the newsletter by sending me notices of upcoming GLBTJ-related activities that you hear about in your area. Trust me, 1 would rather receive the same notice from 8 people than have everyone assume that I know aboutit and miss the chance to tell

4/14/05